Tom Loe could cover his website with big fish pictures from the UO this winter. It has been nothing short of spectacular and the best he has ever seen since the year around opening began in the section above the Benton Bridge. Conditions have changed some this week and the consistent catching of these migratory monsters out of Crowley has slowed down quite a bit. The ice is melting on Crowley for one reason, and there was abnormal pressure put on this area over the extended holiday period. The weather has been so mild that many people are fishing this area due to the great access and good fishing recently. The best is yet to come here and February has historically been the best month for bigs in this area.

Water clarity has been poor due to recent snowmelt, although flows remain very good. The big surprise has been the great dry fly action on the warmer high pressure days. Midge cluster patterns, or parachute BWO's and midge adults with a small birds nest or pheasant tail bead head nymphs as a dropper will get you many opportunities on the warmer days. The small browns are ravenous right now and have moved up out of Crowley to feed. Hang egg and SJ worms in the morns for the bigs, switch to flashback Pt's and birds nest for the afternoon bite when the gravel warms up and the fish start to feed more aggressively. You will also get grabs using streamers along the cut banks. This method can be very productive as you cover a lot of water and are able to fish the long deep runs that are difficult to fish with nymphs as you spook the bigs before getting a good presentation.

The main photo shows a proud Smigey with the icing on his cake. How would you like to be a small baitfish with those choppers about to crush you! This is what he had to say about his trip, "I had an absolute blast with you guys running around netting all those bigs! As always your knowledge and hard work keeps us coming back over and over again." Thanks for getting us into the 'bigs' what a great day! Happy New Year, Joe"